Bamahuta Leaving Papua by Philip Fitzpatrick was read by Australian members of Parliament and used to further the cause of kiaps getting awarded servive medals (text courtesy Keith Jackson). This is a good method you can use to publicise your book

19 November 2009
Papua New Guinea ‘Kiaps’ paid high tribute in Australian Parliament

‘BAMAHUTA LEAVING PAPUA’ – a book by PHILIP FITZPATRICK, played a role in this endeavour. It details his life as a Kiap and was read by MPs: Scott Morrison, Duncan Kerr, John Faulkner

Scott Morrison MP moved a private member’s motion on Monday calling upon parliament to recognise the service of Australians employed as kiaps between 1949 and 1974 and to acknowledge the hazardous and difficult conditions that were experienced. A number of ex-kiaps and their families were present in the chamber to hear the speeches.

“The kiaps were an extraordinary group of young Australians who performed a remarkable service for the people of PNG,” Mr Morrison said. “They were some of our nation’s finest. Their adventurous spirit was matched only by their commitment to the wellbeing of the people of PNG. Their story remains largely untold. More Australians need to know the story. It is deserving of recognition and much greater awareness.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Hon Duncan Kerr MP, said the Government should look at some way of appropriately recognising kiaps’ service. He said he knew there was some discussion among kiaps as to whether the mechanism proposed in the motion is the appropriate one, because of its considerable emphasis on kiaps’ policing role.

He said: “I note that in the recent PNG affairs newsletter that is produced by Keith Jackson, who has a long history of involvement, there is a discussion between Phil Fitzpatrick and Paul Oates about whether the particular mechanism that is proposed in this motion is appropriate - the reservation being the over-emphasis, perhaps, on the policing function. Kiaps were far more than police. Whilst it is true that they were all sworn officers, equally they represented the civil authority in the widest range of possible services. They were, in many ways, the face of government in the districts for which they had responsibility. Mr Kerr commended the mover of this motion for bringing the issue to parliament and said “It may be that a new model needs to evolve to properly recognise the range and depth of that service.”

Luke Hartsuyker MP said that kiaps were multi-skilled field officers who often filled over a dozen roles. “The kiaps lived a dangerous existence,” he said. “There was an ever-present threat of attack from hostile tribes and locals, and many kiaps were murdered on patrol. The harsh conditions on the frontier also proved to be very dangerous, with accidents and illness claiming the lives of kiaps. The list of kiaps killed in boating and aircraft accidents is extensive and I think it is fitting that these men and their surviving comrades should be officially honoured by the Australian government.”

Jill Hall MP said it was very appropriate to give recognition to the role the kiaps played in PNG. “I would like to put on the record that this has been a long campaign - it has gone over six or so years - and that you are getting towards the end of the road. I truly believe that there is going to be some form of recognition in the very near future. PNG is very different to Australia. We have remote areas in Australia, but our remoteness is different. The issues we have around keeping peace and harmony within the community are very different. The role played by kiaps was of vital importance. You kept those communities together. You kept those tribes together. You kept villages and districts functioning. I know the government is working to see that formal recognition is given for the vital role that you played from the Australian perspective and from PNG’s perspective.